Case Study

Good people are essential to the success of any hospitality business. Identifying and nurturing that ‘hospitality gene’ in people is the basis of a productive partnership between Ingeus and Saira Hospitality, who together are innovatively addressing hotel staffing shortages across London. 

 

The partners began providing bespoke recruitment programmes in 2025 for unemployed people to upskill, gain experience, and confidently access hotel vacancies across the Capital. More than 70 Ingeus participants, being supported to find work via the Restart Scheme, have undertaken the Saira programme so far. Almost 70% received job offers from hotels and 93% of new starters remain in work since June 2025. 

 

It’s a successful formula founded on Saira’s philanthropic work abroad, bridging the gap between local communities and hospitality employers. 

 

“Great hospitality team members have an innate sense of service – they’re kind, curious, and like helping people,” explains Saira CEO Greg Fruchtenicht. “We believe any extra operational skills can be learnt and layered on top of that hospitality gene.  

 

“Our partnership with Ingeus harnesses their in-depth knowledge of their participants’ personalities with personal development sessions and on-site role experience. It gives people from diverse backgrounds the opportunity to access exciting and progressive jobs. Our hotel partners benefit from talented and committed staff, and their visitors receive a great guest experience.” 

 

Ingeus delivers the Restart Scheme across Central and West London, partnering with community and sector specialists to support unemployed people into work. Up to 200 Ingeus participants are initially considered for each Saira programme – five of which have run so far. An immersion day held at a recruiting hotel sees 25 invited candidates learn about hospitality roles before 15 are offered a place on the programme. They then undertake self-development boosters including leadership, emotional intelligence, and communication skills training before learning the tactical elements of a job via practical work experience, with a guaranteed interview on completion.  

 

“Ingeus respects our knowledge of the hotel industry and its requirements,” adds Greg. “Our values align – they know the participants well and want them to succeed. The Restart Advisors even come to our immersion days to understand more about the programme and support their participants. 

 

“At our partner hotels, the candidates can experience the roles they are interested in. There’s something to reach for and they can feel the energy of working in a busy hotel. Together, Ingeus and Saira find that hospitality gene in people and it pays off; the success rates are high.” 

 

Saira works with more than 35 hotels across London, from five-star international brands to boutique independents. Vacancies include all front office, housekeeping, and food and beverage roles from porters, security guards, and room attendants, to receptionists, concierges and restaurant staff.  

 

Maryam and Delaram are two successful programme graduates, now both working as receptionists at prestigious central London hotels.